Transfer Guidelines

CFBISD Transfer Guidelines 2026-27

Neighborhood School Concept

At Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD (CFBISD), we take great pride in our neighborhood schools. Typically, a student’s home address determines their school and the "feeder pattern" (defined below) of campuses they will attend as they grow in CFBISD. You can determine your residentially zoned campus by visiting our online school locator.
 
We also understand that every family is unique, and there may be times when you feel a different campus is a better fit for your student. In those cases, we offer a transfer process to help you find the right educational path within our district.

What is a feeder pattern?

A feeder pattern is like a pre-set roadmap for your student’s education within a school district. It is the designated path of schools that a student follows as they graduate from one level to the next. Think of it as a "flow" from elementary to middle, and finally to high school. You can find the 2026-2027 feeder pattern information at the bottom of this page.

What is a transfer request?

A transfer request is an application submitted to the district requesting approval to attend a school outside of the residentially zoned campus. Please remember that students cannot start at the new school until the district officially approves the request.

What are the different types of transfer requests?

In District Transfer

An in district transfer is for families who live within CFBISD boundaries but would like their student to attend a school other than their assigned neighborhood campus. These requests are accepted during our official transfer window, and approval for transfer is contingent upon the student meeting established criteria and available space. Once a transfer is approved, your student is set for their entire PreK–12 journey! As long as you still live within CFBISD boundaries and your student stays on track with good attendance, behavior, and academic effort, you won’t need to reapply each year—even as they move up to middle or high school within that school's feeder pattern.

Out of District Transfer:

An out of district transfer allows students who live outside of CFBISD boundaries to attend one of our schools. We welcome these applications year-round. This also applies to current families: if you move out of the district but would like your student to stay at their current CFBISD school, you will just need to submit a transfer application. Approval is based on available space and the student meeting our district criteria. Because these are out of district requests, they must be renewed every year to keep your student’s spot at the campus.

Special Circumstances:

Placement at a Campus or Program

If your student is placed at a specific campus for a specialized program—such as bilingual, special education, or career and technical education (CTE)—you do not need to file a transfer request, provided you live within the CFBISD boundaries. If you live outside the district and are in one of these programs, an out of district transfer request is still required. 

Special Provisions by Law and Policy

Special transfer procedures are available under specific rules found in the Texas Education Code, federal law, and district policy. These include, but are not limited to, transfers for safety, school performance, and requests to remain at a current school. Contact the Student Services Department for details on these special provisions. 

What is the process for submitting a transfer request?

Transfer requests are available online beginning 9 a.m. April 1, 2026.

• Families desiring an in district transfer must first complete online registration. Online registration opens at 9 am on April 1st.
• After registering the student(s), families complete the transfer application and submit it for processing during the application window.
• The conditions for each approved transfer include demonstrating prompt and regular attendance, a good disciplinary history, and academic effort.

What is the criteria considered following submission of a transfer requqest?

In evaluating each transfer request, CFBISD will consider the following:

• individual needs of the student and the reason provided on the transfer request;
• student's discipline, academic progress, and attendance history; 
• students' need for special instructional services not offered at the home school;
• children of district employees;
• similar-age siblings attend the same school;
• building capacity and any planned renovation projects;
• current enrollment and growth projections;

CFBISD will not increase staffing allocations to accommodate transfer requests.  Transfer requests may be immediately denied or revoked if false or misleading information is provided.

When does the transfer window open and close?

Please make sure to get your transfer request in on time. There is a specific deadline, and unfortunately, CFBISD is unable to accept any requests once that window closes.

New Out of District Transfers
New Out of District Transfers	Applications accepted year-round
Out of District Transfer Renewals	April 1- May 8
Current CFB students requesting an In District Transfer	April 1- May 8
New In District Transfers	April 1- May 8
Reminder: If your student is currently on an in district transfer, remaining at their current school, or moving up to the next school in their feeder pattern, you do not need to submit a transfer request. You only need to reapply if you’re looking to switch to a completely different school.

What documents or information will I need to submit with my transfer request?

To process your transfer request, we require the student’s most recent attendance, academic, and discipline records.

• Currently enrolled CFBISD students: Great news- you do not need to submit these documents; the district already has this information on file.
• Students not currently enrolled in CFBISD: Please ensure all records are included with your transfer application.

Please be aware that applications cannot be reviewed until all documentation is received. Submitting a complete file ensures your request is processed as efficiently as possible.

What is the timeline for a transfer application response?

We are committed to being responsive and to providing a timely response after submission. Once you’ve submitted your application and all required documents, our team will begin reviewing and processing your request. To help things move smoothly, please double-check that your application request is complete, as missing information can cause delays.  We aim to process every request as quickly as possible. If it has been more than 30 days and you haven’t heard from us, feel free to contact our Student Services department at 972-968-6500 for an update.

How will I be notified of the approval or denial of my transfer request?

Once a decision has been made, you will receive an official notification of approval or denial via email. Please note that students are not eligible to begin classes at the requested campus until formal approval is granted. Our goal is to provide a status update within 30 school days of a completed transfer request. If you have not received an update within this timeframe, please check your email’s spam or junk folder, as these automated notifications can be filtered. Please note that status update notifications may be delayed during our busy enrollment season. Feel free to contact the Student Services Department at 972-968-6500 for questions and assistance.

Are there any special considerations related to transfers?

Children of District Employees

As a benefit to our staff, CFBISD prioritizes transfer applications and registration for the children of full-time employees. To maintain this priority status, the parent must remain a full-time employee of the district, and the student must continue to meet the same attendance, academic, and discipline criteria required of all transfer students.

A "child" is defined as a school-aged student who:

• Resides with the employee and is their natural or legally adopted child; or

• Is under the legal guardianship of the employee.

This definition also includes the natural or legally adopted child of an employee who does not reside with them, provided the employee is a noncustodial conservator with the legal authority to make educational decisions for the child.

Peace Officers

ursuant to H.B. 1959, a peace officer who is a parent of or person standing in parental relation to a student may request a nonresident out of district transfer under an agreement under Texas Education Code section 25.035 upon request. A peace officer has the meaning assigned by section 1701.001 of the Texas Occupations Code.

Will transportation be provided to transfer students?

CFBISD does not provide transportation for general transfer students. If your transfer request is approved, parents and guardians are responsible for providing transportation to and from the campus. Please note that select specialized programs may offer transportation at the beginning and end of the school day. These specific routes are typically finalized as the school year approaches. For the most current information, please visit our Transportation Website.

Are transfer students allowed to participate in athletic activities?

All transfer students are required to comply with district policies as well as the rules set forth by the University Interscholastic League (UIL). Because a transfer may impact a student's eligibility for varsity athletics, we encourage families to review the UIL/Athletics FAQ for specific details regarding participation. If you have further questions regarding athletic eligibility, please contact the Athletics Department directly for guidance.

Are transfer students allowed to participate in other extracurricular activities?

To participate in extracurricular activities at the transfer school, students must be enrolled and attending the new campus at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the application deadline for tryouts or elections. For specific questions regarding participation in music, theater, or other fine arts programs, please contact the CFBISD Fine Arts Department for more information.

If approved, why would my transfer be revoked?

Transfer students are expected to adhere to all district and campus policies, including the Student Code of Conduct. Please be aware that attending a school outside of the assigned attendance zone is a privilege. To keep a transfer in good standing, students are expected to demonstrate consistent attendance, positive behavior, and academic effort. Failure to meet these criteria may lead to the denial or revocation of the transfer.

What happens if my student is on a transfer and moves during the school year?

Promptly contact your campus or Student Services to notify them of your change of address. Once we have your new address, we’ll help you figure out the next steps based on your unique situation.

What if I disagree with the decision regarding my transfer application?

Any appeals should be made in accordance with the district's grievance policy. Please refer to CFBISD Board Policy FNG (LOCAL) and GF (LOCAL), as appropriate.

Special Note

CFBISD is proud to offer unique Programs of Choice that require application submission. These programs operate on unique timelines and have application windows that differ from transfers. These Programs of Choice are listed below, and information regarding the programs can be found at (LINK). 

• Two-Way Dual Language Program at Stark Elementary (March 23 - April 24)
• STEAM Program at Landry Elementary (March 24 - April 15)
• Institute of Technology and Engineering at Bush Middle School (open year-round)
• Early College High School (November 1- August 12)